In Nigeria, as well as other parts of the world, Christmas Day (December 25th) is a Christian holiday for celebration of love, family and life, during which people express affection for one another, exchange gifts and throw parties. However, due to the popularity of the festive season, the celebration is adopted by even non-Christians and spread across the rest of the month.
Because Christmas gives people the opportunity to engage in many fun activities and hobbies, it is the perfect time to visit the cinema with loved ones or get on streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, and binge-watch films. Unlike the American film industry which has a recognizable history of big budget Christmas-themed films, the Nigerian Cinema is yet to fully tap into holiday productions. Nonetheless, the present crop of New Nollywood filmmakers seem to be stepping up their game in creating a firm holiday filmmaking pattern in the Nigerian cinema.
Film releases during Christmas could take at least three forms: routine films that do not reflect the essence of Christmas, films which express themes associated with Christmas, and films which adopt Christmas as a genre of filmmaking. Here, we have compiled a list of 10 Nigerian films to look out for this holiday. For these picks, rather than considering Christmas as a distinct genre, the focus is on films that portray ideals of Christmas such as love, friendship, humor, family bond and celebration. Eight of the films can be accessed on streaming platforms, and the remaining two are only available in the cinema.
1. A Naija Christmas (2021)
Written by Kemi Adesoye and directed by Kunle Afolayan, A Naija Christmas follows the story of an aging woman, Mama Agatha (Rachel Oniga) who desires to see her sons get married and bear grandchildren before she passes on. Ahead of Christmas Day, she challenges them by promising the first child to get married her Ikoyi house as inheritance. A Naija Christmas stars Rachael Oniga as Madam Agatha/Mama, the matriarch of the house, while the three brothers are represented by Abayomi Alvin (Chike), Kunle Remi (Ugo) and Efa Iwara (Obi). In their frantic efforts to outdo one another, they clash and experience difficulty in finding true love. With only Chike appearing to be left out in the search for the right woman, Ugo eventually finds true love with Ajike (Segilola Ogidan) and Obi gets over the manipulative Vera (Linda Osifo) to hook up with his bestie Kaneneg (Ade Laoye). Hailed as Netflix’s first Nigerian Christmas Original, A Naija Christmas captures themes of love and festivity while prioritizing the importance of family.
2. Christmas In Miami (2021)
Christmas in Miami is the fourth installment in the Akpos franchise, following 30 Days in Atlanta, A Trip to Jamaica and 10 Days in Sun City. Produced by renowned comedian Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters, the film was released in the Yuletide season of 2021. In this rib-cracking film, Akpos travels with his family to the city of Miami, Florida, in order to represent Nigeria at the International Christmas Fiesta. The show brings together six families from six nations across different continents, with all participants required to spend the week leading up to Christmas on an exotic island. The cast includes Ayo Makun (Akpos), Osita Iheme, John Amos, Kent Morita, Nadya Marie, Catherine Olsen, Richard Mofe-Damijo and IK Ogbonna. In its first two weeks of hitting Nigerian cinemas, the film amassed over 200 million naira in box office revenue. This season of the adventures of Akpos does not only recall the hilarious character as an overambitious, competitive and globe-trotting figure, but also magnifies the notion of “unity in diversity” which has to do with appreciation for national and cultural differences. Aimed at debunking long-held negative stereotypes regarding the nations represented, the show emphasizes the need for love and unity as global citizens regardless of background. With its lighthearted tone and focus on the family unit, Christmas In Miami is a must-see for every Nigerian via Amazon Prime Video this holiday.
3. Lionheart (2018)
In 2018, ace Nollywood actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji marked her directorial debut with Lionheart, a film which was acquired by Netflix on 7 September 2018 as the first Netflix original film in Nigeria. Following its debut at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada, the film was released in 2019 on Netflix. The star-studded cast list contains Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Genevieve Nnaji, Jemima Osunde, Kalu Ikeagwu, Ngoi Ezeonu and Onyeka Onwenu. Also featured are Afrobeats singer Peter Okoye and rapper Phyno, both of whom mark their acting debut in the film. Lionheart is about a young lady Adaeze who takes control of her ill father Chief Ernest Obiagu’s transport company. While she is willing to prove her worth in a male-dominated industry, her father appoints his eccentric younger brother Godswill to work together with Adaeze, as the duo’s attempts at salvaging the dire financial crisis of the family business yields ridiculous and hilarious moments. The film explores themes such as family values, love, the importance of unity, and female empowerment, and it contains humor, which makes it suitable for a holiday watch on Netflix.
4. Namaste Wahala (2020)
Upon release, Namaste Wahala was applauded as the first major collaboration between the Nigerian and Indian film industries, two of the biggest in the world. Written, produced and directed by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, this romantic comedy was released worldwide via Netflix on Valentine’s Day in 2021, which makes the film a toast to the celebration of love. The film has a strong cross-cultural sense as it contains an ensemble of Nigerian and Indian actors, among which are Ini Dima-Okojie, Rulaan Mumtaz, Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, Anee Icha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva, Sujata Sehgal, Osas Ighodaro, Broda Shaggi and Ibrahim Suleiman. The story revolves around an Indian-born, Lagos-based banker Ruslaan Mumtaz and Nigerian lawyer Ini Dima-Okojie who fall in love with each other yet have to overcome the cultural differences and family concerns that threaten to put their relationship asunder. While the film focuses on themes of love, romance, family and cultural dynamics, it ends on a celebratory note that resonates with the festive aura of Christmas.
5. The Wedding Party (2016)
Directed by Kemi Adetiba, The Wedding Party is a Nigerian romantic comedy drama that is based on events that take place before and during the wedding ceremony of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi) and Dozie Onwuka (Banky Wellington). The film was a huge box office success when it was released, as it topped the list of all-time highest gross Nigerian films, a record that was broken five years later by Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga. Also starring Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Iretiola Doyle, Alibaba, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, Kunle Idowu, Jumoke George, Sambassa Nzeribe and AY Makun, the film premiered on 8 September 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and has been widely received as a crowd-pleasing funfair. What makes the film a perfect fit for the Christmas season is its attention to humor and quasi-Yuletide themes such as merriment, love and shared moments with family and friends. The Wedding Party is available on Netflix.
6. Chief Daddy (2018)
Chief Daddy is a humorous depiction of what happens after a man of means and legacy passes on. Shortly after the billionaire and philanthropist Chief Beecroft (a.k.a. Chief Daddy) dies, his will is left at the mercy of his family, as his mistresses and children show up for a stake in his wealth. Chief Daddy’s sister, Aunty Ajoke (Rachel Oniga), is the classical example of a Yoruba auntie who wields more influence in the household than the wife and children; and the deceased’s oldest daughters Tinu (Funke Akindele) and Teni (Kate Henshaw) appear to be more interested in their newfound fortune. Not left out of the drama are the Chief’s legal wife, Lady Kay, and baby mamas Ekanem (Ini Edo), Nike (Shaffy Bello) and Justina (Linda Ejiofor), all of whom plot to outsmart one another. The comedy drama, which highlights issues of intra-family conflict and relationship dynamics, is produced by EbonyLife Films and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. Full of intrigues and humor, its star-studded cast includes Bisola Aiyeola, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Funke Akindele, Shaffy Bello, Ini Edo, Falz, Mawuli Gavor, Zainab Balogun, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, M.I. Abaga, Rachel Oniga, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva and Demi Banwo. Due to its critical acclaim, EbonyLife released a sequel of the film Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke in 2022. Since premiering on a grand scale at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, Chief Daddy has been available via Netflix. With the film’s assessment of the problems of African polygamy and marital infidelity in modern times, it is a recommended watch for family and friends this Christmas season.
7. Battle On Buka Street (2022)
Officially the highest grossing Nollywood film of all time, Battle on Buka Street is a comedy drama co-produced and directed by Funke Akindele, and distributed by FilmOne Studios. Starring Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Nkem Owoh, Tina Mba, Femi Jacobs, Kelvin Ikeduba, Sola Sobowale, among others, the film is based on an intense intra-family rivalry between the wives and children of Maduka (Nkem Owoh). Spotlighting subjects such as family feud, polygamy and unhealthy rivalry, the film leaves a lasting impression on the need to embrace love and unity at all times within the family system. Battle on Buka Street was first released across Nigerian cinemas on 16 December 2022 and debuted on Amazon Prime Video on 16 June 2023. The record-breaking film, with its unmatched 600 million+ box office revenue, is still fresh in the minds of Nollywood faithful. Because of its profound, timeless message and emphasis on family values, the film is best enjoyed with one’s family this Yuletide season.
8. Sistà (2022)
Sistà is the story of a struggling single mother and the titular Sistà (Kehinde Bankole), whose existence is affected by the sudden re-emergence of her children’s father. Written and directed by renowned Nigerian romantic drama and comedy specialist Biodun Stephen, the film debuted in Nigeria on 5 August 2022 and is now available for streaming via Prime Video. With its straightforward plot and an impressive performance delivered by the lead actress Kehinde Bankole, the film thematizes betrayal, maternal love, family and fatherhood. In the end, the filmmaker’s prioritization of family bond and parental responsibility makes it a perfect fit for one’s Christmas movie list.
9. A Tribe Called Judah (2023)
Released on 15 December 2023 across cinemas nationwide, A Tribe Called Judah is a Nollywood comedy thriller that revolves around a woman called Jedidiah Judah (Funke Akindele) and her five sons from five different men and tribes. The first two sons, Emeka (Jidekene Achufusi) and Adamu (Uzee Usman), are responsible, while the other three Pere (Timini Egbuson), Ejiro (Olumide Oworu) and Shina (Tobi Makinde) are badly behaved. When their mother’s health deteriorates and requires a surgery worth 18 million naira, the children take a united stand by deciding to rob Emeka’s corrupt ex-boss. However, in an unexpected twist, they arrive at the mall only to be faced with dangerous guests. The film features seasoned actors such as Funke Akindele who is equally the producer, Nse Ikpe Etim, Timini Egbuson, Nosa Rex, Genoveva Umeh, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede, and Uzor Arukwe amongst others. Directed by Adeoluwa Owu and Funke Akindele, the film tackles family-related issues such as single parenthood and problematic children, which makes it a recommended watch for every Nigerian family this season.
10. This Is Lagos (2023)
This Is Lagos premiered at the 12th Africa International Film Festival. Having been in development for at least a decade, the film is an adaptation of a short story of same title by Nigerian writer, Crispin Oduobuk-MfonAbasi. The dark comedy film captures the intriguing journey of Stevo (Gabriel Afolayan) as he strives for stardom and survival in a city known for characters of different ilk. The cast includes Kate Henshaw, Greg Ojefua, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Rahama Sadau, Enyinna Nwigwe, Jibrin Homsuk, and famous rapper Jesse Jagz. Unlike other family-centric films mentioned earlier, Kenneth Gyang’s This Is Lagos tackles crime, relationships, dog-eat-dog situation and cosmopolitan life through a depiction of the diverse personalities associated with living in Lagos. Scheduled for release across Nigerian cinemas on December 25, the film promises to be a visual feast for cinema lovers interested in understanding the dynamics of survival in a society where the majority of inhabitants are constantly engaged in the struggle for basic necessities of life.